Norma Thomas Draper

Norma Thomas Draper, 102 years of age, residing in Cartersville Georgia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Norma was born Norma Vaudell Thomas on April 16, 1919, in Ashburn, Georgia to the late William Chester Thomas and Annie Mae Ellis Thomas. Norma was the oldest child of three children born to William and Annie Mae. Her siblings were William Chester Jr. and Evelyn Arlene. The family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1922, and Norma lived in Atlanta for the next 75 years until she retired and moved to Bartow County in 1997. Norma attended grammar and high school in Atlanta, and Marsh Business College in Atlanta.

Norma was a devoted and loving mother of three sons, Don Richard (Janice), Frederick Lawrence (Jewell), and William Sharron (Judith), and stepmother to Susan Poole. She was an adoring grandmother to four grandchildren: Hope, Terrie, Shannon, and Jimmy, to ten great grandchildren, and to five great-great grandchildren. She loved her family very much, loved spending time with them and hosting Christmas Celebrations at her home for everyone to enjoy.

Norma led an interesting life. She was ambitious, very social and loved to work. Norma started her career working at the Fort McPherson Army Induction Station during World War II. She saw the Troops Trains bringing in the Prisoners of War from various parts of the World, mostly Germany. After working at Fort McPherson, she went on to work 7 years at the State of Georgia Purchasing Department in the State Capital, and 27 years for the Fulton County Government at the Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia. During her years with Fulton County, she started in the Tax Office but worked most of those years in the Voter Registration Office. She worked in the Courthouse during the Civil Rights Movement and witnessed many special things during that historical time. She retired in 1981.

Norma was a writer at heart and authored a book named “One Thirty-Six Pryor Street” (the Fulton County Courthouse). This book is an autobiography of her life and chronicled the events of her life both personally and professionally. Her book is Historical, mildly Political, and very Personal. She spent many years researching, remembering, documenting, and hours upon hours writing, to bring the pages of this book together. She wanted to leave behind a legacy of information for her family.

Norma was very active in her Church life. She loved worshiping and being involved with Church activities. She was a member of Rowland Springs Baptist Church in Cartersville, Georgia, and an emeritus member of the East Point Church of Christ in East Point, Georgia. Norma loved God and Jesus and loved her Church family.

In recent years Norma lost both of her siblings, her brother William in 2016, and her sister Evelyn in 2018. Her husband Raymond passed away in 2001, her best friend Eileen passed in 2004, and her eldest son, Don Richard, passed in 2006. She is survived by two sons, two daughters-in-law, one stepdaughter, and all her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many more. Norma dearly loved all of her family and friends, and she had many.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 2:00pm at Melrose Hills Memorial Park, Villa Rica, Georgia. Friends are cordially invited for visitation on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Owen Funeral Home, Cartersville, Georgia. Please visit Owenfunerals.com to post tributes and leave condolences with the family.

Owen Funeral Home is honored to serve the Draper family during this difficult time.